Website of the Department of Health

2. Measuring Mental Health Outcomes- Request (Gateway reference 7280)

The CSIP Outcomes Measurement project are developing a compendium of commonly used outcome tools. In order to advise this work the project would like to secure the voluntary involvement of people and services that use outcomes tools to find out about their experience of using them in practice.

See:

• Mental health services: Project on implementation of outcomes measurement

Consultations and evaluations

No news this week

• The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (together with notes on good practice)

Publications

3. Preparing for winter (Gateway reference number: 7279)

Duncan Selbie wrote to Strategic Health Authority Chief Executives and Directors of Performance on 20 October about preparing for winter, winter information reporting and communications. A copy of the letter is available at:

• Preparing for winter 2006-07

4. The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (Gateway reference number: 7252)

Chief Executives are asked to ensure that departments using ionising radiation for medical exposures: x-ray; diagnostic imaging; radiology; medical physics; nuclear medicine or radiotherapy are aware of the changes protected in the above named legislation which comes into force on 1 November 2006. Further information can be found at:

• The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (together with notes on good practice)

5. The GP Patient Survey - your doctor, your experience, your say (Gateway reference number: 7258)

Formerly the national patient experience survey, a component of the Improved Access Scheme Directed Enhanced Service will be sent to 5m patients in January 07. Please note that there has been an extension to the deadline for responses to the yes/no selection for downloading the Apollo software from 25 October to 1 November. For information for SHAs, PCTs and primary care contracting advisors to raise awareness about the survey see:

• The GP patient survey: Your doctor, your experience, your say (formerly known as the National Patient Experience Survey 2006/7): update for strategic health authorities (SHAs), primary care trusts (PCTs) and primary care contracting advisors (PCCAs)

6. Options for Excellence (Gateway reference number: 7231)

The report of the Options for Excellence Review of the social care workforce was launched by Ivan Lewis last week. Led jointly by the DH and DfES, the review identifies options for action in relation to: learning organisations, recruitment and retention, new ways of working, leadership and management, commissioning.

See:

7. Social Care Code of Practice for International Recruitment (IR) (Gateway reference number: 7033)

The social care IR Code was launched by Ivan Lewis last week. The code will raise awareness among social care employers of international recruitment as a way of filling skills gaps and staff shortages, and encourages employers to adopt principles of good practice when recruiting staff internationally.

See:

• Social Care Code of Practice for International Recruitment (opens new window)

Conferences and events - i) what's new

No news this week

Conference and events - ii) places still available

No news this week

Patient safety alerts

8. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/061 (Gateway reference number: 7286)

Blood administration set: volumed blood set manufactured by Sendal SA and distributed by Acromedical Infusion Ltd. Model number: 3101-TJ, batch number: C6766.

NHS Supply Chain code: FSB123.

This Medical Device Alert was issued on 24 October 2006 to NHS trust for action and information request. Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2006/061 (opens new window)

9. MEDICAL DEVICE ALERT – MDA/2006/060 (Gateway reference number: 7287)

Wheelchair backs – Sunrise Medical Jay ® J2 This Medical Device Alert was issued on 19 October 2006 to NHS trust and Social Services for action.

Further information can be found at:

• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - MDA/2006/060 (opens new window)